Portable pole-platform.



s. 0. MAY. PORTABLE POLE PLATFORM. AP PLICATION FILED OCT. 16, 1912- 1,187,078. Patented June 13, 1916.

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SAMUEL C. MAY, OF MODESTO, CALIFORNIA.

.POBTAIBLE POLE-PLATFORM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented 11116. 13, 1916.

Application filed October 16, 1912. Serial No. 726,055.

a To all whom it may concern:

7 Be it known that I, SAMUEL 0. MAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Modesto, county of Stanislaus, State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Portable Pole- Platforms, of which the following is a specification.

a foot board fixed to a hinged clamping frame adapted to engage opposite sides of the pole and provided with spikes adapted to penetrate the pole when the clamping effect of the frame is exerted.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of this invention applied to a pole. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the invention with the pole omitted. Fig. 3 is a plan View from above of the same.

In detail the invention consists of the foot board 1, having the brackets 2 fixed thereto. These brackets are joined by the curved strap 3 having its ends fixed thereto, and its curved center bearing against the underside of the foot board. This strap is provided with the downwardly inclined spikes lfixed thereto. The side bars 5 are hinged to the brackets at 6. The ends of the bars and the brackets are bent at an angle at 7 to form an abutment to limit the opening of the hinge to substantially a right angle. The

side bars are. adapted to extend up the sides of the pole andare joined at the'rear of the poleby the cross bar 8 adjus'tably attached thereto. This cross bar is provided with the spikes 9. As an additional precaution against dislodgment of the platform the chain or bridle 11 extending between the side bars across the front of the pole is provided.

The invention is operated as follows: The platform is placed at the base of the pole with curved strap 3 and the ends of the brackets inclosing oneside of the pole. The cross bar is secured to the ends of the side bars by the bolts 12 on the opposite side of the pole. A rope may be thrown over the cross arm 3/ of the pole w and one end attached to the platform which can be hauled to the desired height. The release of the rope will cause the weight of the platform to set the spikes 3 and 9 into the pole. The operator climbs the pole in the usual manner, steps upon. the foot board, the downward pressure of his weight causing the spikes 3 to sink deeply into the pole forming the fulcrum 'for the angular. lever formed by the brackets 2 and the side bars 5 causing the latter to force the spikes 9 in the cross bar to sink deeply into the pole, providing a secure platform for the line-' man in pursuing his duties. The hinges 6 permit of collapsing the platform for convenience in handling and may be dispensed with so far as the proper operation of the platform is concerned. In aifixing cross arms, setting transformers, etc., a lineman is often compelled to hang to a pole suspended only by his climbers and a belt strap, a very awkward and dangerous position, that is rendered safe and comfortable by the substitution of this invention for the old method described. Friction pads "of rubber may be substituted for the spikes for gripping iron poles or when marring the surface is to be avoided; Safety appliances such as guard rails on the foot board, tool racks, and cross arm holders, and other additions may be made to the platform as illustrated, and modifications to meet certain requirements may be made in the construction without departing from the scope of this invention.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A portable pole platform including a 95 foot board; brackets extending outward from; said foot board on opposite sides of the pole; side bars hinged to said brackets and adapted to stop at substantially a right angle to said brackets; a spiked, curved 100' strap between said brackets adjacent to said foot board; a spiked cross bar connected to said side bars on the opposite side of the pole from said foot board; and a bridle connected to said side bars on the foot board 105 side of said pole.

2. A portable pole platform including a foot board; brackets attached to said foot board, and extending outward on opposite sides of the pole; a curved strap fixed be- 1m tween said brackets adjacent to said foot site ends attached to said side arms on the board; side arms extending upward from foot board side of said pole, intermedlate ,said brackets on opposite sides of the pole, said curved strap and said cross bar.

and bent outward; a cross bar detachably SAMUEL C. MAY.- 5 attached to said bent ends of the side bars Witnesses:

on the side of the pole opposite to said GORDON CowAN,

curved strap; and a bridle having its oppo- H. B. COWAN. 

